Ohio: Fbi

June 1, 2009 - 01:24 pm

Gifts kept coming in, even after '08 raids

One gift-giver to Auditor Frank Russo said a $100 check was solicited to help pay legal bills, The Plain Dealer reported yesterday. The number of gifts he received doubled from 2007.

The state-mandated financial disclosures from Russo and Commissioner Jimmy Dimora were released this month. They list unspecified gifts of at least $75 from fellow politicians, county employees and people who do business with the county.

Dimora told the commission he was limited in answering its questions because the FBI and IRS seized his personal notes and records in July.

No charges have been filed against Russo or Dimora.

Dimora listed unspecified gifts from 35 people and meals from 36 people, many of whom did not appear on past filings.

Read More at Columbus Dispatch >
There have been 71 comments posted in response to this story.

May 15, 2009 - 10:56 am

NEWS FEED: Columbus Dispatch

Parma schools vote to lay off 50 teachers after levy fails

Parma's school board approved the layoffs on Monday. The levy, which failed last week, is the
third straight school levy turned down by voters.

The campaign was overshadowed by an FBI probe into deals approved by one of the district's board
members, who resigned in March.

Parma Board President Cyndee Bratz said the layoffs are devastating. Plans to close two schools
also are in the works.

Parma is in Cuyahoga County, where four other school levies passed.

Read More at Columbus Dispatch >
There have been 23 comments posted in response to this story.

February 26, 2009 - 06:12 pm

NEWS FEED: Cleveland Plain Dealer

Rep. Ryan gets new earmark for client of raided lobbying firm

By Sabrina Eaton

Rep. Tim Ryan is proud of his $29.7 million.

That's how much money the Niles Democrat secured for his congressional district in the omnibus spending bill that passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday, as well as defense and military construction bills that were signed into law last September.

Ryan is especially pleased with a $951,500 earmark the bill steers to a Kent company called AlphaMicron Inc. to develop a film for commercial and residential windows that would improve energy efficiency by varying the amount of light the window admits.

AlphaMicron is a client of the lobbying firm PMA Group - Ryan's top career campaign donor - which was recently

Read More at Cleveland Plain Dealer >
There have been 29 comments posted in response to this story.

February 17, 2009 - 03:42 pm

NEWS FEED: Buckeye State Blog

Bill Mason? Seriously?

By Nick D

As Modern has reported below, rumor has it that ODP Chairman Chris Redfern has already backed Cuyahoga County prosecutor Bill Mason for Secretary of State. As a Cuyahoga County resident myself, I just can't believe it. Doesn't 'Fernsy get the Plain Dealer down there? Until this FBI corruption probe into Jimmy Dimora is complete, I can't believe that anyone in Columbus would want to consider a Cuyahoga County official for any statewide office, especially one as important as Secretary of State.

If you want a prosecutor to run, how about Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh? She has a spotless record in 8-plus years, as far as my research indicates.

Read More at Buckeye State Blog >
There have been 20 comments posted in response to this story.

February 17, 2009 - 05:17 am

NEWS FEED: Cleveland Plain Dealer

A little outrage would be nice

By Mark Naymik, Plain Dealer Politics Writer

Cuyahoga County Democrats continue to lack outrage.

That's too bad. A little might ignite some needed reform.

The party's numbness is evident again this month as 74-year-old Sheriff Gerald McFaul proves that even the law isn't above cronyism, patronage and politics on the public dime.

Acknowledging that he has handed relatives county jobs, asked deputies to sell tickets to his campaign fund-raisers and passed out plum gigs to allies to appraise foreclosed homes, McFaul continues to make no apologies.

The pipe-fitter-turned-lawman insists it doesn't matter whom he hires, as long as his pals are qualified. (Plain Dealer reporter Mark Puente pointed out that, in fact, not all are qualified for their assignments.

Read More at Cleveland Plain Dealer >
There have been 27 comments posted in response to this story.

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